If you’re having trouble with your toilet, you’re not alone. Toilet problems are actually quite common, and there are a few different things that can go wrong. Fortunately, most of these issues can be fixed relatively easily. Even if you are struggling to find the right fix for your toilet, that’s okay – the experts at White’s Plumbing in Youngsville, North Carolina know how to help. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common toilet problems and how to fix them.
Most Common Issues
The following are a few of the most common problems that arise with toilets.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are one of the most common issues when it comes to a toilet. This usually happens when too much toilet paper or other materials are flushed down the drain. Luckily, while they are likely the most common issue, they are also one of the easiest fixes.
Leaking Toilet
There are multiple reasons that your toilet may start leaking. One of the common causes has to do with a cracked toilet tank. When this happens, the water will start to leak out of the tank and onto your bathroom floor. If the tank is not cracked, there may be a crack somewhere lower on the toilet.
Other reasons your toilet may leak include loose tank nuts and bolts, a clog in the pipes underneath the toilet, or a bad wax ring. While you can check to make sure the nuts and bolts are tightened, you will likely need to call a plumber to check for a clog or bad wax ring.
Running Toilet
If your toilet is constantly running, that’s also an issue that can usually be fixed rather easily. The most common issue for a running toilet is an issue with the flapper. You can check and see if this is the problem by looking in the tank and seeing if it is sitting correctly and creating a seal. Over time, the flapper will also wear out with use. When it wears out, it cannot create a proper seal either. If a seal is not created with the flapper, the toilet will run and the tank will not fill up.
If the flapper is not the issue, it may be a problem with the water level. The water level may be adjusted to be too high. When this happens, the water will spill into the overflow tube, and then down into the toilet bowl itself. It will keep doing this until the water level lowers below the overflow tube.
Toilet Making Noise
Is your toilet making a hissing or whistling sound? There may be an issue with the fill valve. Whether there is air moving through the fill valve or overflow tube, or the valve has begun to deteriorate, your toilet may start to make noise. Regardless of the reason why the toilet is making noise, you will want to address the problem before your water bill starts increasing. If you do not address the problem, the valve will most likely break even further.
Fixes for Common Toilet Problems
Now that we know some of the most common issues that arise in toilets, let’s discuss how to fix these issues.
Clogged Drains
To fix a clogged toilet, you will want to try to use a plunger to clear the clog. However, if the clog still does not clear after trying the plunger, a drain snake will likely fix the issue. A plumber will have a drain snake handy and should have your clogged toilet cleared in no time.
Leaking Toilet
Unfortunately, most issues with a leaking toilet will require the help of a plumber. You can, however, double check that the nuts and bolts on the toilet are tightened and functional. However, if there is a crack in your toilet, the part will need to be replaced.
On the other hand, if there is a clog beneath the toilet, the plumber will have the equipment necessary to reach a clog that far down. If the wax ring has gone bad, the plumber will be able to move the toilet and install a new wax ring.
Running Toilet
When you have a problem with your toilet’s flapper where it cannot create a seal, there are two different options on how to fix the issue. The first option is to replace the flapper. If the flapper has worn out, it will likely need to be replaced, as it won’t be able to create a seal anymore.
Sometimes, the issue is with the chain connected to the flapper. If the chain is too short, it will cause your toilet to constantly run, because the flapper cannot lay correctly. On the other hand, if the flapper chain is too long, it can get caught underneath the flapper itself and prevent a seal again.
If the issue is with the water level in the tank, you will want to check and make sure that the toilet float is not stuck or in the wrong spot.
Toilet Making Noise
If your toilet is making a whistling or hissing sound, check to see if the issue is with the fill valve. If you do not know how to check the fill valve’s functionality, don’t worry; White’s Plumbing is more than happy to help you see what’s going on. Assuming the fill valve has broken in some way, you will most likely need to replace the valve itself.
When to Call a Plumber
As you can see, there are a few different things that can go wrong with a toilet. However, most of these issues are relatively easy to fix. If you’re having trouble with your toilet, don’t hesitate to call a plumber. The experienced technicians at White’s Plumbing will be able to help you with any issues that arise with your toilet. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and get your toilet working again in no time.
There are some toilet problems that you won’t be able to fix on your own, and that’s perfectly okay. If you’re having trouble with your toilet, don’t hesitate to call a plumber. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and get your toilet working again in no time.
Contact White’s Plumbing
If you’re having trouble with your toilet, there’s no need to panic. Most of the time, the issue is something simple that you can fix on your own. However, if you’re unsure of how to fix the problem or it persists after you’ve tried to fix it, don’t hesitate to call a plumber. If you are located near the Youngsville, North Carolina area, contact us here at White’s Plumbing! Feel free to fill out the form on this page or give us a call and tell us exactly what is going on with your toilet. One of our technicians will be able to help you get your toilet working in no time.
